The effect of cholesterol on the turnover of lecithin, cephalin and sphingomyelin in the rabbit

The fact that in the greater proportion of the cholesterol-fed animals the specific activities of individual aortic phosphatides exceeded those of the corresponding lipides in plasma is presented as further evidence that the aortIC phospholipides are synthesized in the aORTa itself rather than derived from the plasma by deposition.

Abstract

The turnover of lecithin, sphingomyelin, and non-choline-containing phospholipides in the aorta, plasma, and liver of control and cholesterolfed rabbits was studied with the aid of radioactive phosphorus. In the cholesterol-fed animals, aortic lecithin and sphingomyelin, as well as plasma cephalins, lecithin, and sphingomyelin showed highly significant increases in concentration and rate of synthesis. The fact that in the greater proportion of the cholesterol-fed animals the specific activities of individual aortic phosphatides exceeded those of the corresponding lipides in plasma is presented as further evidence that the aortic phospholipides are synthesized in the aorta itself rather than derived from the plasma by deposition.